The comedy "The Minor" by D.I. Fonvizin is a Russian masterpiece dramaturgy XVIII century, in which the problem is revealed moral decay nobility and the problem of education.
Its main characters are the Prostakov family and Mrs. Prostakova’s brother Skotinin. This is one group of nobles. The other is Starodum, his niece Sophia and Pravdin. All landowners, of course, lived at the expense of the peasants and were, therefore, exploiters. Mrs. Prostakova treats servants and hired people rudely, dismissively, and insultingly. Her son Mitrofan is a quitter, a glutton and a mischief-maker. Mrs. Prostakova is a cruel and domineering woman, insidious, cunning and greedy. An ignorant mother teaches her son the sciences, but she recruited teachers “at a cheaper price, and that’s what hinders her.” She advises her son: “... my friend, at least for the sake of appearances, study, so that his ears will reach how hard you work!” “As for the money, don’t share it with anyone. Take it all for yourself, Mitrofanushka. Don’t learn this stupid science!” In a fit of rage, she screams at the yard girl Pasha, who is seriously ill. She does not consider the dignity of those who live next to her: she humiliates Sophia, own husband, depriving him of his will and his opinion. Prostakova is a landowner, illiterate, cruel and unbridled. We don’t see a woman in her, she has no intelligence, no mercy.
Mitrofan -- The only son provincial parents. Nobleman, future serf owner or civil servant. "Like a mother"...
Prostakova's son is an ignoramus, a slacker, and his mother's favorite. Mitrofan's upbringing and education corresponds to the “fashion” of that time and the understanding of his parents. French language he is taught by the German Vralman, exact sciences-- retired sergeant Tsyfirkin. Grammar - seminarian Kuteikin, dismissed from “all teaching.” Mitrofanushka’s “knowledge” in grammar, his desire not to study, but to get married, are ridiculous. Teachers came to Mitrofan, and he grumbled: “Get them shot!” Mitrofan calls Tsyfirkin, who wants to teach him something, a “garrison rat,” and after failing to kidnap Sophia, he and his mother intend to “take on people,” that is, flog the servants. But his attitude towards Yerema-evna, his readiness to “take people for granted”, his mother’s betrayal evokes different feelings. Mitrofan becomes an ignorant and cruel despot. In some respects, the son went further than his mother. Let us remember how he feels sorry for his mother, who was tired of beating her father. He understands very well who is the real master of the house, and clumsily flatters his mother. Blindly and recklessly loving her son, Prostakova sees his happiness in wealth and idleness. Having learned that Sophia is a rich bride, the mother curries favor with the girl and wants to marry her son by any means. Mitrofan is an undergrowth, primarily because he is a complete ignoramus, who knows neither arithmetic nor geography, and is unable to distinguish an adjective from a noun. But he is also immature morally, since he does not know how to respect the dignity of other people. Mitrofan is not eager to study or serve and prefers the position of a “minor.”
The comedy “The Minor” has not lost its relevance for us either. The upbringing of the younger generation depends not only on the school, but also on the family. Fonvizin tells us: family brings up, first of all. Children inherit from their parents not only genes, but also ideals, habits, ways of thinking and living. As a rule, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
OPTION 1
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2.
A. realism B. sentimentalism
B. classicism D. romanticism
3 . Underageduring the time of Fonvizin it was called...:
A. main character comedy
B. teenager 15 – 17 years old
B. lazy, narrow-minded, ignorant person
G. a nobleman who has not received an education, does not have the right to serve, or to marry.
5. Who is Mitrofan's main teacher, whose lessons did he learn?
A. Vralman V. Kuteikin
B. Tsyfirkin G. Prostakova
6.Tell me about the language of the characters in the comedy.
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7. Give 2-3 “speaking” names from the work, reveal their meaning.
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TEST WORK ON THE COMEDY “UNDERGROUND” 
OPTION 2
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1. .To which literary direction Can we include the play “The Minor”?
A. realism B. sentimentalism
B. classicism D. romanticism
2. Time during which the action of the comedy develops:
a) week b) month
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4. Remember which science “teaches” Mitrofanushka Vralman:
a) grammar b) history
c) mathematics d) geography
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6. :
7. Tell us about the language of the characters in the comedy.
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8. Remember who Sophia chose as her husband:
a) Skotinin b) Mitrofanushka
c) Milona d) Pravdina
9. Tell us about the composition of the play.
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10. What letter does Sophia receive? What does it say?
11. Determine the themes of D.I. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor”:
A. upbringing and education B. love
B. denunciation of ignorance D. fight against autocracy
12 . Who is Mitrofan Skotinin related to?
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13. List negative heroes comedy with speaking surnames, names.
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14.
Which comedy hero wrote the words: “I don’t want to study, I want to get married”?
A) Milon B) Mitrofan C) Pravdin D) Tsyfirkin
15. Who in Mitrofan’s dream falls under the hot hand of his mother?
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8. Which character-reasoner sets out the author’s program for spreading the Enlightenment and combating ignorance, which D.I. Fonvizin considers the cause of all vices?
A. Starodum V. Milon
B. Prostakov G. Pravdin
9. Match the characters in the play with the aphorisms they uttered:
1. “I don’t want to study, I want to get married” A. Pravdin
2. “Now I scold, now I fight; This is how the house holds together.” B. Starodum
3. “Between the pigs, I’m smarter than everyone else” by V. Prostakova
4. “No one is free to tyrannize” G. Mitrofan
5. “With your eyes, mine don’t see anything” D. Skotinin
6. “Here is evil worthy fruits! E. Prostakov
10. Specify quantity characters. Are they all involved in the conflict?
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11. Who do you think is to blame for the fact that Mitrofan is ignorant, ignorant, and rude?
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12.
. Who taught Mitrofan mathematical sciences?
A) Starodum B) Vralman C) Tsyfirkin D) Kuteikin
13.What science is Prostakova talking about: “I found the money, don’t share it with anyone. Take it all for yourself, Mitrofanushka?
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14. Tell us about the composition of the play.
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15. Who was the German Vralman in the past?
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The problem of education in the comedy of D.I. Fonvizin “Minor” (option 1)
Russian historian V.O. Klyuchevsky rightly wrote that the comedy “Minor” is “an incomparable mirror. In it, Fonvizin somehow managed to stand right in front of Russian reality, look at it simply, directly, point-blank, with eyes not armed with any glass, with a look not refracted by any points of view, and reproduce it with the unconsciousness of artistic understanding...” Fonvizin spent a significant part of his life at the Russian court, witnessing many events, seeing people bearing the highest titles, but at the same time in no way corresponding to them. Already at that time, Fonvizin was interested in a person: what he could be, what he most often, unfortunately, becomes, and for what reasons.
The main problem Russian society Fonvizin believed that there was a lack of proper education and upbringing, which ultimately led to the sad consequences that the writer constantly observed around him. All of Fonvizin’s thoughts were expressed in writing - his extensive journalism, satirical works, letters. Much of this, at first, uninitiated glance, may seem simply a manifestation of the misanthropy of a person who himself is very high position and differs little from those who become the object of his criticism. However, this is not true: Fonvizin, with his characteristic insight, saw Russian society in its state, which in twelve years will be resolved almost by revolution. All these reflections were summarized in his final work - the comedy “Nedorosl”, where the writer explores the origins of this state of Russian society. In this comedy, two groups of characters openly oppose each other and recognize themselves as opponents. Actually, each of the heroes can be judged by their names. On the one hand - the well-bred girl Sophia, her uncle Starodum, her fiancé Milon, the honest official Pravdin. And on the other side are the landowner Prostakova (nee Skotinina - which emphasizes the animal, and not the human, spiritual principle in her), her husband, completely subordinate to her, brother Taras Skotinin, son Mitrofan (the translation of this name from Greek is important here: “similar to mother" - thus the writer emphasizes the continuity of the animal principle). These are all those about whom Starodum speaks, expressing the thoughts of the author: “A nobleman, unworthy of being a nobleman! I don’t know anything more vile than him in the world.” Mitrofan becomes the main object of analysis of the writer, since he belongs to to the younger generation, on which the future of Russia depends.
The strictest logic can be traced in the entire behavior of Prostakova and her son: they are confident that the whole world was created only for their sake, their convenience and interests, which it should serve. So, for example, having learned about the return of Starodum, who was considered dead, Prostakova soars: “He didn’t die! But shouldn’t he die?” That is, he had to die, since the heroine is in in this case profitable. And if he didn’t die, then that means someone set it up for selfish purposes. And there are many similar remarks that reflect the peculiarities of her consciousness. It is quite understandable that with such divergent pictures of the world, heroes belonging to different camps are completely unable to understand each other. The characters understand each word differently. So, for example, when Mitrofan is asked about history, he says that he knows many stories that the cowgirl told him. Mitrofan was not taught to correctly understand the meaning of Mitrofan’s words and, obviously, will no longer be taught. Thus, the theme of education turns out to be the core of the entire comedy. Older generation(Prostakova, Skotinin) are in to a greater extent animals than people, due to the lack of this upbringing. And the same is true of Mitrofan, who, apparently, will suffer the same fate.
They constantly talk about education in the play “The Minor.” So, for example, Sophia at the beginning fourth act appears with the book of the French Bishop Fenelon “On the Education of Girls.” The intelligent heroine not only reads it, but also comments on it, after which she discusses it with her uncle. The Skotinins, on the contrary, are proud, first of all, of the fact that they have never learned anything. However, Prostakova herself admits that “this is a different century,” and therefore she is trying to teach her son something in accordance with the new requirements, although completely unsuccessfully. Mitrofan's teachers know little, but they try to do their job conscientiously, which in the end completely fails. They are trying to teach Mitrofan only some external knowledge, but at the same time he does not receive any true education at all and there is nowhere for him to get it. He receives the upbringing that shapes him as a person from Prostakova, who loves her son madly. However, this love turns out to be disfiguring from the very beginning, because in essence it approaches animal instincts - it is not conscious and attentive love. As a result, Mitrofan becomes not only a complete ignoramus, but also, which is very important, an absolutely heartless person. He had as little room to learn love and compassion as German language or mathematics. When, in the finale of the play, the Prostakovs are taken under guardianship for the mistress’s cruelty towards her serfs and the mother rushes to her son as the last support, he openly expresses his attitude towards her: “Let go, mother, how you imposed yourself...” And in the end Prostakova is also experiencing her own personal tragedy, although she perceives it taking into account her personal characteristics: the son whom she madly loved pushes her away at the most difficult moment for her.
Thus, both generations of the second camp of heroes presented in the comedy, having never received proper education, at the time of unfolding events on the evolutionary ladder are closer to animals, not people. The whole spiritual life, man’s search for truth is completely absent for them, because in principle inner life they don't have it. There are only some biological instincts. This turns out to be evil for themselves: they have long ago and irrevocably ruined the most important thing in themselves. But the consequences are aggravated by the fact that by their origin they belong to the top of Russian society - the nobility, which rules Russia, to which the entire Russian people are subordinate; in the comedy, this aspect of the problem is revealed in the Prostakovs’ relationship with their serfs. The tragedy is that Mitrofan is no different from his parents: but the Russian future remains for people like him, which Fonvizin felt very well and deeply experienced.
I'M GOING TO CLASS
Lessons from Penza teachers
Methodological recommendations for conducting lessons on comedy by D.I. Fonvizin “Nedorosl” in 8th grade
From the compiler. This is a kind of continuation of the seminary “Lessons of Penza teachers”, published in No. 8 for 2003. Unfortunately, that selection did not include all the most interesting finds made by Penza wordsmiths. Today we offer our readers another material developed by a creative group of language teachers at school No. 51.
Let us note that teachers in this city work mainly according to the educational and methodological complex “In the World of Literature”, prepared by a team of authors edited by A.G. Kutuzova. Therefore, it is natural that all lessons are focused specifically on him.
Program (section “Russian literature of the 18th century and its traditions”). DI. Fonvizin. "Undergrown"
Main characters. Dramatic conflict. Features of the composition. Ways to create a comic effect. Reflection of the ideas of the 18th century in comedy. The importance of comedy for contemporaries and subsequent generations
| Lesson number | Lesson topic | Information on the history of literature | Formation of aesthetic and theoretical-literary concepts | Types of student activities to develop analytical, interpretative and creative skills |
| 1 | DI. Fonvizin "Undergrowth" | Educational ideas and Russian literature | comedy | Commented reading of the playbill and the first act. Vocabulary work. |
| 2 | Speech characteristics | Commented reading of individual comedy scenes. Speech and actions as the main means of creating character in a dramatic work. Compilation of speech characteristics of heroes. | ||
| 3 | Dramatic conflict and its development | Role-based reading with elements of dramatization. | ||
| 4 | Workshop “Traditions and innovations of D.I. Fonvizin’s comedy “The Minor”” | Traditions of classicism in comedy. | ||
| 5 | Educational ideas of the author. Innovation of Fonvizin the playwright. Aphorism. Composition. | |||
| 6 | Continuation of the lesson | Creative workshop |
Essay on comedy
Lesson 1. D.I. Fonvizin. “Nedorosl”: educational ideas and Russian literature. Commented reading of the playbill and the first act
Working with a textbook article
What is the role of the writer in the 18th century?
Why did Fonvizin know court life well? What does an ideal state look like from the point of view of educators?
(“We are obliged to obey and submit to every sovereign, without exception, since he has an indisputable right to this; but we must respect and love only his virtues” - Michel Montaigne.)
Why does Fonvizin choose drama?
Why is Fonvizin’s favorite genre comedy?
Individual message about the comedy “Brigadier”. What hero of the work we read can I compare Ivanushka with and why?
The pinnacle of the playwright’s creativity is “The Minor” (1782)
Working with an epigraph on the board
...There in the old days, Satires,
brave ruler
Fonvizin, friend of freedom, shone...
(A.S. Pushkin) introduction
teachers
The connection between the playwright’s work and the historical situation, with social and artistic thought of the 70s and 80s.
Fonvizin was one of the first to touch upon the topic of serfdom - the basis of his contemporary social system. He considered the unlimited power of landowners over peasants to be a great social evil, which could lead the noble state “to the very brink of ultimate destruction and death.”
Remember the features of dramatic works DRAMA (from Greek - action, dramatic works Characterized by acute conflict situations that imperiously induce characters to verbal and physical actions.
COMEDY - dramatic genre, depicting life situations and characters that cause laughter.
Features of the composition of plays XVIII century- subordination of the composition of a stage work to the rule of three unities.
The events take place over the course of one day and in one place - a provincial manorial estate, in the house of the landowner Prostakova.
Independent vocabulary work
Card (8 groups). Explain the lexical meaning of the word. As a result group work is being created "Comedy Dictionary", the vocabulary of which is replenished throughout the work on the work.
Heartlessness - lack of gentleness, warmth; callousness, cruelty.
Voivode - V Ancient Rus' and in some Slavic states - the head of the army, district.
Garrison - belonging to a military unit located in locality, fortress or fortified area.
Dvorovy - belonging to the gentry. Yard people. Outbuilding for courtyards(noun).
Mongrel (collected) - under serfdom: domestic servant in a manor's house. Numerous d.
Noble - belonging to a nobleman.
Nobleman- a person belonging to the nobility.
Despotism - 1) autocratic rule. Monarchical village; 2) the behavior of a despot (in the second meaning). D. tyrant.
Careerism - pursuit of a career, desire for personal well-being, career advancement in personal interests.
Selfishness - desire for personal gain, profit, greed.
Serf - serf peasant.
Serf owner - owner of serfs, champion of serfdom.
Scammer - a person who engages in fraud, a rogue, a swindler. Small m.
Minor - in Russia in the 18th century: a young nobleman who had not reached adulthood and had not yet entered the public service; trans.- a stupid, half-educated young man ( decomposition iron.).
Reproof - expose, reveal something unseemly, harmful, criminal, severely condemn. O. vices.
Guardianship - a form of protection of personal and property rights of incapacitated persons (children who have lost their parents, the mentally ill). Take custody. Establish guardianship.
Opposition - opposition, resistance ( book). About someone's politics. To be in opposition to someone or something(if you disagree with someone’s views and actions, oppose them).
Estate - land ownership of the landowner. Large, small p.
Dedicate (what, who-what) - to designate, to give. P. your life to work.
Privilege - pre-emptive right, preference. Privileges for war veterans.
Courtier - a person who is attached to the monarch (as well as a member of his family) and is part of his entourage.
Enlighten (who, what) - transfer knowledge to someone, spread knowledge, culture.
Devastation (who, what) - violation, destruction of someone’s material well-being, reduction to poverty. R. family.
Collusion - engagement, agreement between the parents of the bride and groom ( outdated).
Stinginess - great stinginess, greed.
Acquisitiveness - greed, desire for profit.
hard worker - a person who works; hardworking person..
Village workers Petitioner
- the one who submits the petition. Petition - in Russia until early XVIII century: written request, complaint..
Submit a petition Favorite
- a favorite of a high-ranking official, receiving benefits and benefits from his patronage. Assignment for working with a dictionary: be able to explain lexical meaning
words, make up phrases and sentences with words, select words from the dictionary that may be needed in working on the characterization of the hero, interpreting the author’s position, and so on.
Who is the main character of the play for you? Prostakova - a play about her fate. Sophia - the reason for the rivalry between Mitrofan, Skotinin, Milon. Starodum - everything depends on his opinion. Mitrofan
- after all, the play is called “The Minor.” Working with the title
, or they took a subscription that he would learn geography, history and military engineering.
Working with a poster
Commented reading of the poster. Speaking names. Development dramatic conflict
. What is the balance of power in the play? The Prostakovs-Skotinins, ignorant backward landowners-serfs, are contrasted with the noble intellectuals Sophia, Starodum, Milon, Pravdin. ()
Who is related to whom?
Selfish money-grubbers are contrasted with those who desire justice, convinced opponents of “evil-minded ignoramuses,” educated and humane people.
Based on this, how do you imagine the conflict that arose between them?
Commented reading and analysis of the first act
Nothing tormented my heart more than innocence in the hands of deceit. I have never been so pleased with myself as when I happened to snatch the spoils of vice from my hands.(Starodum)
Reading the scenes and dialogues of the first act
How are the characters of the Prostakovs, Mitrofan, and Skotinin revealed in the first scenes? How do they behave, what is their speech?
Trying on a caftan (phenomena 1–3). Prostakova’s barbaric attitude towards serf servants, her lust for power and despotism.
The theme of lordly tyranny is the main one in the play. (The play begins with a scene with the tailor Trishka, who is being bullied by the “inhuman lady.”)
“Mitrofanushka... mother’s son, not father’s son”(phenomena 4). Mitrofanushka is a spoiled and unscrupulous “mama's boy”.
“The plans of Prostakova and Skotinin”(phenomena 5).
Skotinin is a stupid rude man, a cruel landowner, preoccupied with the upcoming “conspiracy” with Sophia.
The dialogue between Prostakova and Skotinin characterizes them as cruel serf owners. “Since we took away everything the peasants had, we can’t take anything back. Such a disaster!” (Prostakova complains to her brother.)
Self-interest, acquisitiveness, profit - the behavior of Prostakovs and Skotinin is subordinated to them.
Serfdom ,Fonvizin believes, not only does he reduce the peasants to the position of uncomplaining slaves, but he also stupefies the landowners.
Why does Skotinin want to get married? Do you like “Girl”? No, we need her “villages”, in which there are pigs: Skotinin “has a mortal desire” for them.
So, EXPOSITION of the play - acquaintance with the characters took place.
Why did Prostakova initially have nothing against her brother’s marriage to Sophia? ( I considered her a dowry.)
Prostakova changes her plans(phenomena 6)
Why does she change her plans? ( He finds out that she is the heiress of a rich uncle, Starodum.)
What is so funny about her behavior? (Inconsistency: he wants to consider his fiction as truth, but presents the truth as fiction.)
What interesting things will we learn about Prostakova? ( Can't read.)
It is from this event that the dramatic conflict begins to develop - this is the PRINCIPLE of the play. And it seems that nothing will help Sophia.
The balance of power is changing not in favor of Prostakov-Skotinin(Revelation 8).
What event changes the balance of power? (Soldiers came to the village to stay, led by officer Milon, Sophia’s fiancé. He is a friend and like-minded person of Pravdin, a staunch opponent of the “evil-minded ignoramuses.”)
Lesson 2. Commented reading of comedy: speech and actions as the main means of creation 
character in a dramatic work
Examination homework : discussion of the compiled text of the presentation, its comparison with the sample text.
Morning in Prostakova's house
Morning. The all-powerful lady examines the caftan made by the tailor Trishka. And although the caftan is sewn “pretty well,” it is difficult to please a capricious lady. “Thief”, “thief’s mug”, “blockhead”, “swindler” - these are the mildest epithets with which she rewards her servants.
A frequent guest at the Prostakov estate is her brother Skotinin, whose very name speaks volumes. Today he came to his sister to set the day for the “conspiracy.” The fact is that Prostakova, having robbed a distant relative Sophia “legally,” decided to marry her off to her brother. Of course, Sophia’s opinion is not asked.
And here is Prostakova’s son, Mitrofanushka, in whose character the features of the same serf owner as his mother and uncle are clearly visible. But in some respects he went even further than his mother. Prostakova loves her son in her own way, but the ignoramus is heartless and rude to her. However, he understands very well who is the real boss in the house, and therefore clumsily flatters his mother, telling his dream. Mitrofan “feels sorry for mother,” who is so tired, “beating father.”
Thus begins the action of this wonderful comedy by D.I. Fonvizin, and the life of a landowner appears before us estate XVIII century.
Work on the topic of the lesson: what happens in the second act?
Positive characters meet, talk, find moral support and mutual understanding.
Phenomenon 1
Why does Pravdin come to the village? (He has a duty assignment to travel around the district; at the behest of his heart, noticing the use of power over people by landowners for evil, he strives to correct the situation.)
Phenomenon 2
What did Pravdin discover at the Prostakov estate? (“I found a landowner, a countless fool, and a wife, a despicable fury, whose hellish disposition brings misfortune to their entire house.”)
Phenomenon 3
What is cherished dream Skotinina? How is his last name reflected in his speech?
Phenomenon 4
How does Eremeevna’s character appear in this scene? What did we learn about Mitrofan’s character by reading about the clash between rivals?
Phenomenon 5
How does Prostakova manage her estate? (Find her self-characteristic.)
Important: the characters of the negative characters are clearly outlined.
Homework (optional)
1. Select aphorisms that speak about the life principles of Starodum ( Act III, phenomena 1 and 2; action V, phenomenon 1).
2. Execute written work- presentation "Biography of Starodum".
Lesson 3. The concept of dramatic conflict and its 
development. Reading by role of individual comedy scenes
Analysis of the third act
The mind, if it is only the mind, is the most trifle. With runaway minds we see bad husbands, bad fathers, bad citizens. Good behavior gives him a direct price.(Starodum)
Phenomenon 1
Whose worldview does the conversation between Starodum and Pravdin introduce us to? (The dialogue introduces the worldview of advanced noble intellectuals who sharply criticize the “depraved age” of Catherine II, her idle and vicious nobles and ignorant serf-owners.)
The images of the bearers of virtue are Starodum and Pravdin. Positive images lovers - Sophia and Milon. They are entrusted with the thoughts and feelings of the playwright himself and those close to him. They talk about what is dear to the author: the need to instill in a person from childhood a sense of duty and love for the Fatherland. Infallible honesty, truthfulness, self-esteem, respect for people, contempt for baseness, flattery, dishonesty. They put forward concepts about honor, nobility and wealth that are directly opposite to simpletons of all ranks.
Their speeches reveal the arbitrariness of the government, which creates in Russia people unworthy of being human, nobles unworthy of being nobles.
Checking homework
Reading written work "Biography of Starodum." Make sense of the “speaking surname”(what and who is the author’s ideal). Peter I and his era.
Working with cards “Life Principles of Starodum”(by rows). Determine what socio-political and moral issues it addresses. Formulate and write them down. If possible, supplement the cards with your own examples.
Card I
- In that century, under Peter I, the courtiers were warriors, but the warriors were not courtiers.
- IN big world there are very small souls.
- Where the sovereign thinks, where he knows what his true glory is, there mankind cannot but return their rights.
- It is in vain to call a doctor to the sick without healing: the doctor will not help unless he himself becomes infected.
Card II
- It is unlawful to oppress your own kind through slavery.
- An ignoramus without a soul is a beast.
Card III
- The ranks begin - sincerity ceases.
- Ranks are often begged for, but true respect must be earned.
- A truly inquisitive person is jealous of deeds, and not of rank.
Card IV
- Cash is not cash worth.
- To my stupid son Wealth is no help.
- The golden fool is still a fool.
Messages on the results of group work
1) Role state power- know what its role is: to protect human rights. The Tsar and the great world are “incurably ill,” “small souls,” instead of serving the state, care about their careers.
Starodum does not hide his opposition to Catherine’s monarchy. In the army, noble idlers who have never been in a single battle enjoy themselves, while military officers are neglected. Flattery, rivalry, and mutual hatred soar at court. Anyone who does not want to lie, be hypocritical, or flatter in the fight for a warm place, resigns, as Starodum did. So, to be in favor at court, you must be dishonest. It is difficult to characterize the situation more sharply. And although Starodum does not say a word about the empress, it is clear that rewards for the dishonest can fall at the court of either a stupid or a dishonest monarch. Nobody thought Catherine II was stupid.
Fonvizin, as Panin’s secretary, lived at court until 1773 and saw with his own eyes the fierce struggle of court groups and individuals on the narrow road to the favor of the empress, “where two people, having met, cannot separate. One knocks the other down.”
Continuation of the conversation between Starodum and Pravdin ends gloomy picture. To Pravdin’s words that people like Starodum should be called to court for the same purpose for which a doctor is called to the sick, Starodum replies: "My friend! You're wrong. It is in vain to call a doctor to the sick without healing. The doctor won’t help here, unless he gets infected himself.”
Arbitrariness of the government as a result of the unlimited power of the empress and her favorites, arbitrariness of the bureaucracy, natural in a country where there is no firm legislation, arbitrariness in a serfdom, where the power of some people over others is not limited in any way and is not controlled by anyone, arbitrariness in the family, the pursuit of power everywhere , the insatiable power of wealth, the measure of which determines the strength of power - these are the links of a single chain that fosters servility, baseness of soul, meanness - anything but humanity.
2) Serfdom is illegal. If not educated person He also doesn’t have a soul, he’s a beast.
The “minor” only demanded a human attitude towards the serfs. “It is unlawful to oppress one’s own kind through slavery,” says Starodum. But Fonvizin realized that moral preaching did not reach the consciousness of the serf owners, that conviction alone could not influence tyrants corrupted by uncontrolled power. According to the writer, government intervention is necessary.
And the law at that time forbade the landowner only to kill the peasant. Prostakova did not kill anyone, did not maim, did not burn her maids with tongs, like Countess Kozlovskaya, did not force footmen to tickle girls in her presence until they gave up the ghost, did not drive naked people out into the cold, did not sew the fingers of an inept seamstress to her body, even did not flog her to death, as many, many nobles did. Prostakova is not Saltychikha, who tortured 140 peasants. She is an ordinary ordinary landowner, and the fact that Fonvizin portrayed her exactly like this is the great strength of comedy, its deep truth of life. Saltychikha, Kozlovskaya and other monsters were spoken of as exceptions. The image of Prostakova, which absorbed the features of thousands of landowners, was, according to the author’s plan, to become a living reproach to the gentlemen in whose houses the same thing was happening. And not only gentlemen. Having forced Pravdin to take custody of Prostakova’s estate at the end of the comedy, Fonvizin tells the government a way out: all landowners who cruelly treat the peasants should be deprived of the right to own peasants.
Everyone, not just rabid killers.
3) Service. The main thing is not rank, but deeds.
“It is much more honest to be treated without guilt than to be rewarded without merit.” “I will calculate the degree of nobility by the number of deeds that the great gentleman did for the fatherland...” 4) Wealth is not about money. Huge impact on human relations another terrible force - the power of money. In “The Minor,” Fonvizin showed that “money is the first deity,” the sovereign masters over the serfs are themselves slaves of money. Mrs. Prostakova is rude to everyone who depends on her, and she fawns over Starodum after learning that he has ten thousand. She pushes Sophia around at the beginning of the play and ingratiates herself with her, a bride with wealth. She remembers with pride father, who knew how to make a fortune with bribes, and, without hesitation, teaches his son: “If you found the money, don’t share it with anyone.” Take everything for yourself, Mitrofanushka.”
“The rich man... is the one who takes away what he has in excess in order to help the one who does not have what he needs.”
What can Fonvizin do against all this? Faith in the good principles of the human soul, capable, according to the enlighteners, of distinguishing bad from good; hope in the power of conscience - a faithful friend and strict judge of man; moral sermon: “Have a heart, have a soul and you will be a man at all times” and the like.
To Pravdin’s remark: “So, you left the courtyard with nothing?” - Starodum replies: “The price of a snuff box is 500 rubles. Two people came to the merchant. One paid the money and brought home a snuff box. Another came home without a snuff box. And you think that the other one came home with nothing? You're wrong. He brought home his 500 rubles intact. I left the court without villages, without a ribbon, without ranks, but I brought mine home intact, my soul, my honor, my rules.”
Starodum resigns, not wanting to oppress his own kind with slavery, he leaves for Siberia, acquires a small fortune there and, upon returning, preaches his views in a narrow circle of people close to him. Fonvizin acts more courageously: he writes “Minor.” And he understands the meaning of his act, through the lips of Milo, placing the fearlessness of a statesman who speaks the truth to the sovereign, at the risk of angering him, above the fearlessness of a soldier going into battle. Death in battle is honorable. Disgrace threatens with dishonor, slander, doom to inaction, and moral death.
Fonvizin is not afraid of disgrace. But, having pronounced a harsh sentence on Catherine's Peseta, what could he offer in return? What are those new, different from European, ways and forms of life about which he wrote to Bulgakov? The playwright did not rise above the idea of replacing the tsar's bad advisers with Starodums, bad officials with Pravdins, military careerists with Milons, bad landowners with good ones.
Generalization.
What behest of his father does Starodum consider most important for himself? What aphorisms do you find interesting and important today?
Lesson 4. Workshop “Traditions and innovations of comedy by D.I. Fonvizin “Minor”
1. Traditions of classicism in comedy. Features of plays of the 18th century (individual message)
- Subordination of the composition of a stage work to the rule of three unities: place, time, action.
Are these three unities observed in Fonvizin’s comedy? The events take place over the course of one day and in one place (in a provincial manor’s estate, in the house of the landowner Prostakova).
- Satire must correct morals, teach.
- Does comedy correct morals, what does it teach? Vice And virtue
The main characters of the comedy are sharply divided into two camps. In one - representatives of vice, “evil morality” - Prostakova, Skotinin, Mitrofan. In the other camp, the bearers of virtue are Starodum, Milon, Pravdin, Sophia.
Does virtue win? Virtue truly wins.
- According to the traditions of classicism, every hero should have some kind of one characteristic feature.
Determine what basic quality heroes, carriers of what vices or virtues they are.
Prostakova is “malevolent”, Prostakov is downtrodden, Skotinin is bestial, Mitrofan is ignorant, Starodum is straightforward, Pravdin is honest, Sophia is noble...
- In the plays of that time there is always a hero who directly expresses the author’s ideas, his most cherished and dear thoughts.
In “Nedorosl” this is Starodum. Its main task is to express what the author wants to inspire in the audience.
2. Innovation of Fonvizin the playwright
- The heroes of the comedy turned out to be much more complex than tradition required. They are not just walking masks of virtue or vice.
Are Kuteikin, Vralman, Tsyfirkin, Eremeevna bad or good? There is no definite answer.
Fonvizin follows the classical tradition in depicting positive heroes. By portraying negative heroes, he departs from this tradition.
Prove that Prostakova is not only malicious, find her positive qualities.
Prostakova cruel and rude, but she loves his son madly. At the end of the comedy before us suffering mother, losing her last consolation - the consolation of her son. It no longer evokes laughter, but sympathy.
Determine the qualities of Mitrofan’s character that go beyond the definition of an ignoramus and a “mama’s boy.”
- everything depends on his opinion. not only an ignoramus and a “mama’s boy”. He cunning, knows how to flatter his mother (story about a dream). Smart(answer to Starodum’s question). Heartlessness- this is his very terrible trait. “An ignoramus without a soul is a beast,” says Fonvizin. Mitrofanushka the ignoramus is funny, but the one who repels his mother is terrible.
- Fonvizin's innovation lies in his ability to structure the speech of his characters in such a way that the reader imagines the characters of the characters.
Individual tasks for compiling speech characteristics
Prostakova's speech is illiterate, but very changeable. From timid, obsequious to domineering and rude. Support with examples.
Skotinin’s speech is not only rude, but also fully corresponds to his surname. He speaks of himself and others as if they were animals. Support with examples.
The speech of Starodum is the speech of an educated, cultured person. She is aphoristic, sublime.
What is unique about the speech of Kuteikin, Vralman, Tsyfirkin?
- Everything in the play is national: theme, plot, social conflict and characters. And in the works of classicism, in the depiction of characters, they sought to reveal not the individual, but the general, eternal, inherent in people of all countries and times.
- Virtue wins.
But why do the positive heroes win?
They win accidentally. Not because there is a fair law. Pravdin turned out to be an honest man. Good man local governor. Uncle Starodum arrived on time. By chance, Milon led a detachment through the village. A coincidence of happy circumstances, and not the triumph of a just law.
The author's idea is innovative. The idea of enlightenment is not new. Fonvizin argues that enlightenment alone is not enough. “Science in a depraved person is a fierce weapon to do evil,” says Starodum. “Enlightenment elevates one virtuous soul.” First you need to cultivate virtue, take care of the soul, and then the mind.
The playwright believes that such a law is needed so that virtue is beneficial, so that everyone understands that “without good morals no one can go out in public. Then everyone finds his advantage in being well-behaved and everyone becomes good.”
Thus, it turns out that the landowners are not to blame for their evil behavior, it is the officials and the sovereign who are to blame for not establishing a good law.
A truly statesman in comedy is Starodum (he thinks in terms of the era of Peter I). Unfortunately, in the modern era the author does not need either honesty, courage, or concern for the benefit of the state.
Starting with the comedy “The Minor,” Russian literature entered into a noble struggle with state power, a struggle for justice and for people.
4. Aphorism
A short expressive statement containing a generalizing conclusion.
Individual task: find and list Fonvizin’s expressions, which enriched Russian speech with catchphrases and became aphorisms.
Homework. Retelling an article from a textbook; prepare answers to questions (according to options).
Speech characteristics - great achievement of Fonvizin.
Prostakova is a powerful landowner, speaks abruptly, imperiously, often shouting, distorting words, using rude expressions and insulting others. Affectionately addresses only Mitrofan.
- the reason for the rivalry between Mitrofan, Skotinin, Milon.- an educated and humane person. His judgments are apt and witty (“There are small souls in the big world”, “Cash is not dignity”).
A vivid imagination and warm-hearted responsiveness showed up early in Fonvizin’s relationships with others. He was able to feel the condition of another person as his own and, in his words, “he was not afraid of anything more than to do someone injustice, and for this reason he was not so afraid of anyone as of those who depended on me and who had to answer.” I wasn’t able to.”
However, this did not mean that he was timid and compliant.
“My penchant for satire manifested itself very early. My sharp words rushed around Moscow. Just as they were sarcastic to many, the offended declared me to be an evil and dangerous boy. They soon began to fear me, then to hate me... My writings were sharp curses: there was a lot of satirical salt in them, but not a drop of reason, so to speak,” the writer admitted.
For example: “Oh, Klim, your deeds are great! But who praised you? Relatives and two stutterers.”
From his youth, Fonvizin mastered the art of “imitation”, acting impersonation. He was characterized by the ability to “take on the face” of a familiar person and speak “not only with his voice, but also with his mind.”
In all his first experiments, the gift of words is evident.
Working on the topic “Speech characteristics of heroes”
Target: show high dramatic skill in creating speech characteristics.
1. Individual tasks:
1) life of Kuteikin; biography of Tsyfirkin; Vralman's life;
2) vocabulary unique to Kuteikin;
Tsyfirkin; Vralman. 2. Work with the class.
What is unique about Kuteikin’s speech? Speech half-educated seminarian. It is built on Church Slavonic vocabulary and phraseology, and is rich in forms of the Church Slavonic language: pitch darkness, the talk of the town; woe to me, a sinner; the local diocese, he was hungry, he was called and died; God willing, so that the Lord does not make me wise too
and so on.
What is unique about Tsyfirkin’s speech? The speech is based on the fact that he is in the past was a soldier and now teaches arithmetic.
Hence, in his speech there are constant calculations, as well as military terms and phraseological turns. Give examples to prove this.
What is unique about Vralman’s speech? Compose brief description
speech. Give examples.
3. Tasks for working in groups: Compile a speech characteristic of Skotinin
- (Only one group works in this lesson). speak,
- characterizing Skotinin.
Prove with comedy materials that the entire lexical composition of Skotinin’s speech characterizes his bestial character. For evidence, use not only lexical material, but also syntactic structures. Work on the comedy text
Phenomenon 3
(continuation)(Prostakova, Milon, Skotinin, Starodum, remarks by the author)
How do the relationships between Starodum, Pravdin, Milon and Sophia differ from the relationships between Prostakovs and Skotinin? What is so amazing about the relationship between brother and sister?
Lack of related feelings. (“Let me go! Let me go, father! Give me a face, a face...")
Phenomenon 7
(continuation)(Prostakova, Mitrofan, Tsyfirkin, Kuteikin, remarks by the author)
How does Mitrofanushka's training take place?
How does Prostakova explain the necessity of his teaching?
How is the teaching going?
Who are Mitrofanushka's teachers?
How does Mitrofan himself feel about teachers and teaching?
Important: The theme of the upbringing and education of young nobles runs through the entire comedy. “A nobleman, for example, would consider it the first dishonor to do nothing when he has so much to do: there are people to help; there is a fatherland to serve"(appearance 1. d. 4).
The education that Prostakov gives to his son kills his soul. Mitrofan loves no one but himself, does not think about anything, treats teaching with disgust and is only waiting for the hour when he will become the owner of the estate and, like his mother, will push around his loved ones and uncontrollably control the destinies of the serfs.
Analysis of the fourth act. Reading on the roles of Starodum's advice (phenomena 2).
Homework
Task for everyone: compare Prostakova in Mitrofon’s lesson and Starodum in a conversation with Sophia. What do they teach, what do they consider important - ideals of heroes in whom? What kind of people do they want their children to be?(It is advisable to do it in the form of a plan, a comparative table.)
Individual tasks:
- life of Kuteikin; biography of Tsyfirkin; Vralman's life;
- vocabulary inherent only to Kuteikin’s speech;
- Tsyfirkina; Vralman (prepare orally);
- prepare an analytical retelling of the fifth act;
answer the questions:
What does Starodum say about education and enlightenment? What does he think is more important? What ways does Starodum see to make people kind?
What “deserved reward” does each of the comedy heroes receive? How did Prostakova’s malice turn against herself in the last act?
Lesson 5. Continuation of the practical lesson Group work assignments:
(continuation)
- Compose a speech characteristic of Prostakova. (Only one group works in this lesson). Analysis of the author's remarks. Choose synonyms for the verb
- characterizing Prostakova.
- Analysis of appeals in Prostakova’s speech: how they change depending on the situation.
Prove with comedy materials what reveals the character of a rude, unrestrained, tyrant person. For evidence, use not only lexical material, but also syntactic structures.
- Compose a speech characteristic of Prostakova. (Only one group works in this lesson). characterizing Starodum.
- Prove with comedy materials that Starodum’s speech is full of bookish vocabulary and testifies to his education and high morality. For evidence, use not only lexical material, but also syntactic structures.
Checking group work.
Summarizing: With the help of speech features (characteristics), the author managed to create unforgettable images of comedy heroes. Let's remember that speech characteristic- the main means of creating an image in a dramatic work.
Continuation of the analysis of the fourth action.
Prostakova adapts to Starodum's demands and changes her tactics. She's pretending hospitable hostess at home, trying to please the honorable guest. He never misses an opportunity to praise himself and Mitrofan. Sharp transitions in behavior - from rudeness to exaggerated courtesy - reveal Prostakova’s deceit and hypocrisy.
Scene "Mitrofan's Exam" (phenomenon 9), reading (possibly with elements of dramatization) and brief explanations.
What can be said about Mitrofan’s knowledge?
Does a nobleman need science? How do Prostakova and Skotinin answer the question? What was Prostakova up to when she learned about the upcoming departure of Sophia and Starodum?
Examination individual tasks.
Retelling and analysis of the fifth act of the comedy.
What does Starodum say about education and enlightenment? What does he think is more important? What ways does Starodum see to make people kind?
What “deserved reward” does each of the comedy heroes receive? How did Prostakova’s malice turn against herself in the last act?
Result: The goals of Prostakov and Skotinin are insignificant and base (enrichment at the expense of the suffering of other people). The positive characters of the play strive for the triumph of justice and truly human feelings.
Analysis of the final scene
What led Prostakova to disaster? Who is more right in explaining the cause of Prostakova’s misfortune: Pravdin (“mad love” for Mitrofan “brought her down the most”) or Starodum (“had the power to do bad things to others”)?
How does Prostakov see his son and what is he really like? Prostakova turns to her son for sympathy. But he rudely pushes her away: “Go away, mother! How I imposed myself...” To the sorrowful cry: “I don’t have a son!” - Starodum answers with words full deep meaning: “Here are the fruits worthy of evil!”
Homework
Choose a topic for your essay (the topics are suggested in the textbook) or come up with your own wording. Select material for it.
Lesson 6. Creative workshop: working on an essay on the comedy of D.I. Fonvizin "Minor" 
Essay topics suggested for analysis:
- “Cheerful” family.
- Funny and sad in Mitrofan.
- Life of Starodum.
- Teacher Mitrofan.
Three main laws(Imagine that you have the opportunity to establish three laws. What laws will they be? How to formulate them? How to explain their meaning to people?)
- Education and upbringing.(What is the difference between education and upbringing? Are a well-mannered and an educated person the same thing? What, in your opinion, should be the main objective education? What is the purpose of education?)
Essay preparation work
Independent selection of episodes of a literary work. Their analysis, determined by this topic. What is a characteristic?
Characteristic- this is a description of a living person and character, that is, stable characteristics of a person that depend on the lifestyle and are manifested in actions, deeds and statements.
How is an essay structured - characterization of a character?
1. Thesis - an idea is expressed.
2. Arguments - proven by examples from the text.
3. Conclusion - logical generalization.
Characteristics of Mitrofanushka
(Essay; main points)
What determines a person's character?
From the environment, life, conditions of formation of a young man as a person. This is exactly how D.I. solved this problem. Fonvizin in the comedy "Minor". Its importance is emphasized by the title itself.
General notes about the character
Mitrofanushka, the “undergrowth,” is one of the main characters of the comedy. Mitrofan is a Greek name and translated into Russian means “resembling a mother.” This is a fifteen-year-old young man, the son of provincial landowners, despotic and ignorant serf-owning nobles.
Logical transition. New thought
“Like a mother”... This already says a lot. But no, in some respects he went further than his mother.
Generalization, transition and new thought
His mother loves him (albeit in her own way), but Mitrofan only pretends to be loving. In fact, he is heartless, extremely selfish and rude.
Proof
At the end of the comedy, when Prostakova seeks his sympathy, the “minor” rudely pushes her away: “Get off yourself, mother! How imposed.”
Intermediate thesis
His rudeness and cruelty are manifested in everything.
Proof
“Teachers” came to him - he grumbles: “Get them shot!” He calls Tsyfirkin, who really wants to teach him something, a “garrison rat.” The old serf nanny Eremeevna hears only abuse addressed to her for all her worries. And after he failed to kidnap Sophia, he and his mother intend to “take on people,” that is, flog the servants.
Logical generalization
Thus, teachers are enemies for him, and servants... he doesn’t even consider servants to be people.
Transition to a new thought
But, speaking about Mitrofanushka’s character traits, one cannot fail to mention his extreme ignorance...
Work assignments:
Come up with your own introduction to the work.
Divide the text into paragraphs.
Styling tips:
There is no need to use many quotes, especially large ones.
Avoid repeating words, use synonyms.
Use only those words and expressions that you understand.
Make sure to use the correct word order in the sentence.
Do not write fragmentary, unfinished sentences, subordinate clauses without the main thing.
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Mistakes that are often made:
- unclear or erroneous formulation of thoughts;
- lack of evidence or insufficient evidence;
- inconsistency of evidence of the expressed idea;
- lack of logical generalizations;
- lack of logical connection between individual parts of the essay.
